Imaged coded data source transducer product

ABSTRACT

The product comprises an imager ( 21 ), a coded data source ( 11 ), and a variable property having a first use, with light emanating from the coded data source ( 11 ) representing the first use and specifying which portion of light detected ( 12 ) by the imager ( 21 ) represents the variable property, where the coded data source ( 11 ) can be from a plurality of coded data sources and the imager ( 11 ) can be from a plurality of imagers ( 21 ).

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional applicationNo. 60/256,086 filed Dec. 15, 2000 and U.S. provisional application No.60/318,962 filed Sep. 11, 2001.

[0002] The product comprises an imager, a coded data source, and avariable property having a first use, with light emanating from thecoded data source representing the first use and specifying whichportion of light detected by the imager represents the variableproperty. The coded data source can be from a plurality of coded datasources and the imager can be from a plurality of imagers.

[0003]FIG. 1 depicts a form of the product where the variable propertyis a position of a coded data source.

[0004]FIG. 2 depicts a form of the product where the variable propertyis an analog property of an object.

[0005]FIG. 3 depicts a form of the product where the variable propertyis a digital property of an object.

[0006]FIG. 4 depicts a form of the product where the variable propertyis an analog property of a coded data source.

[0007]FIG. 5 schematically depicts connections among elements of theproduct.

[0008] The transducer product comprises a first imager and a first codeddata source. The first imager has a first field of view which extendsalong a first orthogonal axis triad.

[0009] First detected light is detected by the first imager at a firsttime. First code light emanating from the first coded data source issubsumed in the first detected light.

[0010] When the imager is from a plurality of imagers 21 the first fieldof view is subsumed in a collective field of view 22 of the plurality ofimagers and the first detected light is subsumed in collective detectedlight 12 detected by the plurality of imagers. When the first coded datasource is from a plurality of coded data sources and several coded datasources 11 from the plurality of coded data sources are in thecollective field of view, code light emanating from the several codeddata sources is subsumed in the collective detected light.

[0011] A first variable property has a first use which is represented bythe first code light. The first variable property has a first value atthe first time. The first value is represented by first value light. Thefirst value light is a first value portion of the first detected light.The first value portion is specified by the first code light.

[0012] A first variable property can be any physical property which canhave an analog or digital representation. For example the first variableproperty can be temperature represented by an expanding volumethermometer. A first use can be any application using the physicalproperty. For example the first use can be temperature control.

[0013] A first signal is caused by the imager when the imager detectsthe first light at the first time. The first signal represents the firstcode light and represents the first value light. When the first imageris from a plurality of imagers the first signal is subsumed incollective signals 31 output 23 by the plurality of imagers.

[0014] When the first coded data source is from a plurality of codeddata sources, second code light can emanate from a second coded datasource from the plurality of coded data sources. When first code lightand second code light are subsumed in the first detected light, thefirst imager can concurrently detect first code light and second codelight, and the first signal can represent both the first code light andthe second code light.

[0015] “Detect light” here and throughout means not only detecting thepresence of light but also means detecting the specific properties ofthe light which encode data so that an imager can output a signal whichrepresents the data. Concurrently detecting light from several datasources together distinguishes the imager from a bar code reader whichcan not concurrently detect light from several spatially separated barcodes, within the meaning of “detect light” used here.

[0016] The imager can be the dual mode imager of patent applicationPCTUS/01/13742 filed Apr. 30, 2001 and published as WO 01/84475 A1 Nov.8, 2001. The coded data source depicted in the figures is a form whichworks well with the dual mode imager. The bands 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D and43A, 43B, 43C, 43D retro reflect infra red light. The locate mode of thedual mode imager detects these bands. The react mode of the dual modeimager detects light from the color bands forming coded regions 42A,42B, 42C, 42D over other light from the field of view. Bands 43A, 43B,43C, 43D are wider than bands 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D defining a direction.Other imagers and other forms of coded data sources can be used.

[0017] A coded data source can itself vary to provide the first valueand subsequent values of the first variable property. A coded datasource can have an analog variation to provide the first value andsubsequent values of the first variable property. For example 40B inFIG. 4 shows that the size of band 43D can provide a first value 51D andthat the band can enlarge to provide subsequent values.

[0018] Any part of a coded data source can have an analog variation torepresent values of a variable property. Any property which can have ananalog representation can be represented this way. For example, when afirst size of a portion of a coded data source can represent a firstsound frequency and a second size can represent a second sound frequencythe coded data source can be used as a musical instrument.

[0019] A coded data source can vary digitally to provide the first valueand subsequent values of the first variable property. Any variableproperty which can be represented digitally can be represented this way.This can be done. for example, by changing one, and more, of the colorbands in a code region such as 42A.

[0020] The digital readout box 50C containing a digital display 51C inFIG. 3 can be a part of a coded data source. A first usehere—represented by the first code light—would specify that the firstvalue light is from the digital readout box.

[0021] A first position 40A of a coded data source can provide a firstvalue of a variable property and a subsequent position 50A can providesubsequent values. A distance moved 51A can provide a first value, andsubsequent distances moved can provide subsequent values. Positions canbe reckoned relative to the orthogonal axis triad of an imager.Positions can be reckoned relative to reference coded data sources.

[0022] This analog variation of a coded data source can represent anyvariable property which can have an analog representation. This isespecially useful for motion control and for the music example describedabove. Only some of many examples are described below. A person can movea coded data source and an object will be caused to have analog motion.

[0023] Coded data sources can be attached onto several parts of a faceof a person and various expressions will move the coded data sourcesrelative to each other so that each expression orientation can representa specific control signal. Various motions such as nodding can representspecific control signals. Coded data sources can be attached to variousplaces—teeth for example—where motions and orientations can representcontrol commands.

[0024] Coded data sources can be incorporated in a contact lens toidentify the wearer and to track the direction of looking. A person canmove a coded data source on a finger in writing and drawing motions anda display will be caused to output the writing and drawings. A personcan move a coded data source to control various properties of sounds.This can emulate existing musical instruments and can be used to createnew musical instruments.

[0025] First code light from a first coded data source can specify afirst location of a first object which emanates first value light. Afirst imager will detect the first value light as a first value portionof the first detected light. The first object can vary to provide thefirst value and subsequent values of a first variable property.

[0026] An object can have an analog variation to provide a first valueand subsequent values of a variable property. Light emanating from theobject comprises value light which represents a first value andsubsequent values of a variable property.

[0027] An example of this is depicted in FIG. 2 where a coded datasource 40B specifies the location of an object—for example by specifyingdisplacements 52B, 53B relative to the coded data source. In thisexample the object is a fluid column which can represent any variableproperty—such as volume, temperature, and pressure—which can berepresented by a variable length fluid column.

[0028] An object can vary digitally to provide a first value andsubsequent values of a variable property. An example is depicted in FIG.3 where a coded data source 40C specifies displacements 52C, 53C to adigital readout box. Light emanating from the box represents a firstvalue 51B and subsequent values of a variable property. Any variableproperty which can be represented digitally can be represented this way.

[0029] The imager—dual mode and otherwise—can have components separatedin space. This can enlarge the field of view. This can facilitatedetermining the spatial positions of coded data sources.

[0030] The imager can have several elements which selectively detectportions of a range of values of a physical property of light from acoded data source, with the several portions detected by the severalimager elements being combined to detect the full range of the physicalproperty of light without forming an image of the coded data source.

[0031] Light from a coded data source can have various sources such aslight reflected from ambient sources, a light source which is part of acoded data source, light emitted after energizing by suitable radiation,light emitted after energizing by suitable radiation with acharacteristic decay time, a light source adjacent to the imagerilluminating the coded data source, and combinations of these.

[0032] Light is not limited to visible light. For example, infrared canbe used, and millimeter and longer wavelengths can be used. Light can beradiating energy from any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum whichcan provide the functions required here. Other forms of radiatingenergy—such as acoustic energy—which can provide the functions requiredhere are included in the meaning of “light” here.

[0033] A “signal” from a first product part to a second product part anda first product part being “signal connected” with a second product parthere, and throughout, mean that a first physical state of the firstproduct part causes a second physical state of the second product part.This can occur by various direct causal means and can occur by any ofvarious transmission means. Transmitted signals can be any of variouspoint-to-point and broadcast forms of energy transmission such aswireless and via wires, cables, and fibers. Parts of transmitted signalscan reside with one form of the transmitted signal, parts can residewith a second form of transmitted signal, and parts can reside withvarious combinations of transmitted signals.

[0034] The several causes here can act via any of various processingmodes. The processing can utilize configured processing elements such asfixed circuits, can utilize configurable processing elements such asfield programmable gate arrays and neural networks, can utilizeinstructions in a data-bearing medium, and can utilize combinations ofthese. The processing be stand alone, can act via a local informationsystem, can act via a networked information system, and can act viacombinations of these. The processing—in part at least—can be part of animager.

1. A transducer product comprising: a first imager, the first imagerhaving a first field of view, the first field of view extending along afirst orthogonal axis triad; first detected light, the first detectedlight being detected by the first imager at a first time; a first codeddata source; first code light, the first code light emanating from thefirst coded data source, the first code light being subsumed in thefirst detected light; a first variable property, the first variableproperty having a first use, the first use being represented by thefirst code light, the first variable property having a first value atthe first time, the first value being represented by first value light,the first value light being a first value portion of the first detectlight, the first value portion being specified by the first code light;and a first signal, the first signal being caused by the first imagerwhen the first imager detects the first detected light at the firsttime, the first signal representing the first code light, and the firstsignal representing the first value light.
 2. The product of claim 1wherein the first coded data source varies to provide the first value.3. The product of claim 2 wherein the first coded data source has ananalog variation.
 4. The product of claim 2 wherein the first coded datasource varies digitally.
 5. The product of claim 1 wherein the firstvalue is a first position of the first coded data source.
 6. The productof claim 1 wherein the first value portion of the first detected lightemanates from a first object, the first object varying to produce thefirst value.
 7. The product of claim 6 wherein the first object has ananalog variation.
 8. The product of claim 6 wherein the first objectvaries digitally.
 9. The product of claim 1 wherein the first imager isfrom a plurality of imagers.
 10. The product of claim 1 wherein thefirst coded data source is from a plurality of coded data sources.
 11. Atransducer product comprising: a first imager, the first imager beingfrom a plurality of imagers, the plurality of imagers having acollective field of view, the first imager having a first field of view,the first field of view extending along a first orthogonal axis triad,the first field of view being subsumed in the collective field of view;first detected light, the first detected light being detected by thefirst imager at a first time; a first coded data source, the first codeddata source being from a plurality of coded data sources; first codelight, the first code light emanating from the first coded data source,the first code light being subsumed in the first detected light; a firstvariable property, the first variable property having a first use, thefirst use being represented by the first code light, the first variableproperty having a first value at the first time, the first value beingrepresented by first value light, the first value light being a firstvalue portion of the first detect light, the first value portion beingspecified by the first code light; and a first signal, the first signalbeing caused by the first imager when the first imager detects the firstdetected light at the first time, the first signal representing thefirst code light, and the first signal representing the first valuelight.
 12. The product of claim 11 wherein the first coded data sourcevaries to provide the first value.
 13. The product of claim 12 whereinthe first coded data source has an analog variation.
 14. The product ofclaim 12 wherein the first coded data source varies digitally.
 15. Theproduct of claim 11 wherein the first value is a first position of thefirst coded data source.
 16. The product of claim 11 wherein the firstvalue portion of the first detected light emanates from a first object,the first object varying to produce the first value.
 17. The product ofclaim 16 wherein the first object has an analog variation.
 18. Theproduct of claim 16 wherein the first object varies digitally.
 19. Atransducer product comprising: a first imager, the first imager having afirst field of view, the first field of view extending along a firstorthogonal axis triad; first detected light, the first detected lightbeing detected by the first imager at a first time; a first coded datasource; first code light, the first code light emanating from the firstcoded data source, the first code light being subsumed in the firstdetected light; a first variable property, the first variable propertybeing a first analog variation of the first coded data source, the firstvariable property having a first use, the first use being represented bythe first code light, the first variable property having a first valueat the first time, the first value being represented by first valuelight, the first value light being a first value portion of the firstdetect light, the first value portion being specified by the first codelight; and a first signal, the first signal being caused by the firstimager when the first imager detects the first detected light at thefirst time, the first signal representing the first code light, and thefirst signal representing the first value light.
 20. A transducerproduct comprising: a first imager, the first imager having a firstfield of view, the first field of view extending along a firstorthogonal axis triad. first detected light, the first detected lightbeing detected by the first imager at a first time; a first coded datasource, first code light, the first code light emanating from the firstcoded data source, the first code light being subsumed in the firstdetected light; a first variable property, the first variable propertybeing a first digital variation of the first coded data source, thefirst variable property having a first use, the first use beingrepresented by the first code light, the first variable property havinga first value at the first time, the first value being represented byfirst value light, the first value light being a first value portion ofthe first detect light, the first value portion being specified by thefirst code light; and a first signal, the first signal being caused bythe first imager when the first imager detects the first light at thefirst time, the first signal representing the first code light, and thefirst signal representing the first value light.
 21. The product ofclaim 19 wherein: the first imager is from a plurality of imagers, theplurality of imagers having a collective field of view, the first fieldof view being subsumed in the collective field of view; and the firstcoded data source is from a plurality of coded data sources.
 22. Theproduct of claim 20 wherein: the first imager is from a plurality ofimagers, the plurality of imagers having a collective field of view, thefirst field of view being subsumed in the collective field of view; andthe first coded data source is from a plurality of coded data sources.23. A transducer product comprising: a first imager, the first imagerbeing from a plurality of imagers, the plurality of imagers having acollective field of view, the first imager having a first field of view,the first field of view extending along a first orthogonal axis triad;the first field of view being subsumed in the collective field of view;first detected light, the first detected light being detected by thefirst imager at a first time; a first coded data source, the first codeddata source being from a plurality of coded data sources; first codelight, the first code light emanating from the first coded data source,the first code light being subsumed in the first detected light; a firstvariable property, the first variable property being an analog variationof the first coded data source the first variable property having afirst use, the first use being represented by the first code light, thefirst variable property having a first value at the first time, thefirst value being represented by first value light, the first valuelight being a first value portion of the first detect light, the firstvalue portion being specified by the first code light; and a firstsignal, the first signal being caused by the first imager when the firstimager detects the first detected light at the first time, the firstsignal representing the first code light, and the first signalrepresenting the first value light.
 24. A transducer product comprising:a first imager, the first imager being from a plurality of imagers, theplurality of imagers having a collective field of view, the first imagerhaving a first field of view, the first field of view extending along afirst orthogonal axis triad; the first field of view being subsumed inthe collective field of view; first detected light, the first detectedlight being detected by the first imager at a first time; a first codeddata source, the first coded data source being from a plurality of codeddata sources; first code light, the first code light emanating from thefirst coded data source, the first code light being subsumed in thefirst detected light; a first variable property, the first variableproperty being a digital variation of the first coded data source, thefirst variable property having a first use, the first use beingrepresented by the first code light, the first variable property havinga first value at the first time, the first value being represented byfirst value light, the first value light being a first value portion ofthe first detect light, the first value portion being specified by thefirst code light; and a first signal, the first signal being caused bythe first imager when the first imager detects the first detected lightat the first time, the first signal representing the first code light,and the first signal representing the first value light.
 25. Atransducer product comprising: a first imager, the first imager beingfrom a plurality of imagers, the plurality of imagers having acollective field of view, the first imager having a first field of view,the first field of view extending along a first orthogonal axis triad;the first field of view being subsumed in the collective field of view;first detected light, the first detected light being detected by thefirst imager at a first time; a first coded data source, the first codeddata source being from a plurality of coded data sources; first codelight, the first code light emanating from the first coded data source,the first code light being subsumed in the first detected light; a firstvariable property, the first variable property being an analog variationof a first object outside the first coded data source, the firstvariable property having a first use, the first use being represented bythe first code light, the first variable property having a first valueat the first time, the first value being represented by first valuelight, the first value light being a first value portion of the firstdetect light, the first value portion being specified by the first codelight; and a first signal, the first signal being caused by the firstimager when the first imager detects the first detected light at thefirst time, the first signal representing the first code light, and thefirst signal representing the first value light.
 26. A transducerproduct comprising: a first imager, the first imager being from aplurality of imagers, the plurality of imagers having a collective fieldof view, the first imager having a first field of view, the first fieldof view extending along a first orthogonal axis triad; the first fieldof view being subsumed in the collective field of view; first detectedlight, the first detected light being detected by the first imager at afirst time; a first coded data source, the first coded data source beingfrom a plurality of coded data sources; first code light, the first codelight emanating from the first coded data source, the first code lightbeing subsumed in the first detected light; a first variable property,the first variable property being a digital variation of a first objectoutside of the first coded data source, the first variable propertyhaving a first use, the first use being represented by the first codelight, the first variable property having a first value at the firsttime, the first value being represented by first value light, the firstvalue light being a first value portion of the first detected light, thefirst value portion being specified by the first code light; and a firstsignal, the first signal being caused by the first imager when the firstimager detects the first detected light at the first time, the firstsignal representing the first code light, and the first signalrepresenting the first value light.